Oldham, Edward Garr Wesley

2nd Lieutenant Edward Garr Wesley Oldham

was born at 43 Prospect Terrace, Belfast  on 27th May 1887  to Edward Garr Oldham, Clerk and Agnes Rebecca Oldham nee Mulholland. They had married on 24th August 1884 at the St Mary Magdalene Church of Ireland, Belfast.

43-47 Prospect Terrace, University Road, Belfast - courtesy of Albert Bridge via Geograph.ie

In 1901 Edward () lived in house 111, Lisburn Road, Windsor Ward, Belfast with his parents and 4 siblings; Leslie (5), Thomas (8), Henry (12) and John (3 - dob 28th August 1897 - see below). In addition to the immediate family, there were 3 aunts; Sarah Mulholland, Mary Mulholland and Jane Mulholland, a nurse, Kathleen Donald and a servant, Ellen Farrell.

Edward would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1905 and is recorded as working in Markets branch and Head Office. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as 184 Hampton Terrace, Lisburn Road, Belfast and later as 11 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast. Edward's wife, Emmy Victoria Oldham later signed the guarantee and gave her address as 19 Rosetta Avenue, Belfast.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

Belfast Bank, Markets branch

By 1911 their property was now described as house 184, Lisburn Road, Windsor Ward, Belfast. Both father and son are described as Bank Officials. The parents, a servant (*) and the 5 boys are present in the house.

On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, Edward Oldham Senior signed the Ulster Covenant at Fisherwick Presbyterian Church, Belfast giving his address as 184 Lisburn Road, Belfast.

Edward volunteered and enlisted into the 10th Royal Irish Rifles with Service Number was 10/15717.  His first theatre of war was recorded as France from 5th October 1915. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal.

Promotion to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant was attained in August 1917.

E G Oldham - Medal Index Card
(Address: 6 Chichester Avenue, Belfast)

On 15th September 1917 Edward married Emily (Emmie) Victoria Nicol of Belfast at Duncairn Presbyterian Church. Edward's occupation is recorded as a military officer.

The Belfast News Letter of 1st May 1918 reports:

As an officer, Edward had to apply for his medal entitlement. He was awarded the 14/15 Star, the Victory medal and the British War Medal. 

E G Oldham - Medal Roll 1

E G Oldham - Medal Roll 2

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, Edward returned to work. The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' records Oldham as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address as 'in France'.

Belfast Bank - 'Roll of Honour' booklet

Edward is remembered on the Balmoral Golf Club Roll of Honour along with his brother John Byers Oldham. John served in the Army Service Corps (T4/149974); North Irish Horse (2665) and the North Irish Horse/Royal Irish Fusiliers (41346).

Balmoral Golf Club War Memorial / Roll of Honour
- Courtesy of John McCormick

Balmoral Golf Club War Memorial / Roll of Honour
- Courtesy of John McCormick

Edward was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club on 26th March 1945 paying 5 shillings subscription.

Retirement came in 1948.

Edward Oldham died on 6th November 1949 aged 63 in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. His last address was 19 Rosetta Avenue, Belfast.

(*)  1901 Irish Census - Ellen Farrell (36), Rostrevor, County Down. Married on 16th July 1903 to Patrick McKenna at St Peter's Roman Catholic church, Belfast. This information has been included as a descendant of Ellen Farrell is trying to source a photograph of her.